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Futuristic underground cargo system

There are plans for a massive underground cargo transportation system to take the pressure off the roads and rail. The first part would run from logistic centres in Solothurn and Bern to the city of Zurich. (SRF/swissinfo.ch) 

A feasibility study presented on Tuesday revealed that just the first step in the large-scale plans would cost CHF3.5 billion ($3.4 billion) for a 66.7km-long stretch of the tunnel. A team has been working on the concept for two years, with federal support.

The team say the first part of the underground transport network could be ready by 2030. The tunnel’s promoters have called it a “pragmatic and technically-simple solution”, saying that at a depth of 50m and width of 6m, the tunnels would be environmentally friendly and efficient.

The unmanned, automated vehicles would be propelled and steered by electromagnetic induction and run at 30km/hour. They could run 24-hours a day, and there would even be a separate section for packages.

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR